Awards

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments

You only think you know this story. In 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer—the most notorious serial killer since Jack the Ripper—seared himself into the American consciousness. To the public, Dahmer was a monster who committed unthinkable atrocities. To Derf Backderf, "Jeff" was a much more complex figure: a high school friend with whom he had shared classrooms, hallways, and car rides. In My Friend Dahmer, a haunting and original graphic novel, writer-artist Backderf creates a surprisingly sympathetic portrait of a disturbed young man struggling against the morbid urges emanating from the deep recesses of his psyche—a shy kid, a teenage alcoholic, and a goofball who never quite fit in with his classmates. With profound insight, what emerges is a Jeffrey Dahmer that few ever really knew, and one readers will never forget.

Also available by Derf Backderf, Trashed.

Find teaching guides for My Friend Dahmer and other titles at abramsbooks.com/resources.

Coming in 2017: My Friend Dahmer will become a major motion picture from director Marc Meyers.

Review

"Carefully researched and sourced with ample back matter, Backderf’s tragic chronicle of what shouldn’t have been is a real butt-kicker for educators and youth counselors as well as peers of other potential Dahmers. Highly recommended for professionals as well as true crime readers." Library Journal

Review

"One of the most thought-provoking comics released in a long time." Slate.com

Review

"One of the best graphic novels I've read this year." USA Today's PopCandy

Review

"The tone is sympathetic and enraged (‘Where were the damn adults?’), while not excusing or making the story unduly fascinating. Backderf’s writing is impeccably honest in not exculpating his own misdeeds . . . and quietly horrifying. A small, dark classic." Publishers Weekly (starred review)

About the Author

Derf Backderf has been nominated for two Eisner Awards and has received a host of honors, including the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for political cartooning. His weekly comic strip, The City, has appeared in more than 100 newspapers over the past 22 years. Backderf lives in Cleveland, Ohio.

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What Our Readers Are Saying

Average customer rating 5 (1 comments)

Holy cow. I read this cover to cover in about an hour and then spent the rest of the night thinking about how important it is to nurture a child.
I found myself thinking about Dahmer in a more sympathetic mindset and am not ashamed of it.
The graphics are phenomenal and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, this was such a riveting read.